Overcoming fear

Fear the overwhelming feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

Fear is a natural response that works to keep us safe from things in the world that might hurt us. Having said that, fear can run wild at times.

Severe life experiences, trauma mental illness, and abrupt change can elicit it a fear response that can derail us.

So , what do we do? We learn skills. Yes skills. The ability to send our body signals that it is safe and loved.

“Like what” you may ask? Well it is a bit complicated but Ill try to explain. Our bodies have complex feedback systems that provide for our safety. The sympathetic nervous system is ever on watch for things in our environment that might cause us harm. This system will respond to threats by causing us to go in to action in some way ( think fight , flight, or freeze). This system will be activated by real or perceived threats. just thinking you could be in danger can send that system in to reaction mode. Careful what you think.

Conversely, the parasympathetic nervous system works to calm down the body and bring us back in to homeostasis. That state which is optimal for our well being.

The activating of the sympathetic nerves system by thoughts and things can easily be calmed by doing things to initiate the parasympathetic nervous system.

That is, when normal responses are in control.

Those of us that have severe reactions to stimuli due to PTSD, trauma, and or mental illness can struggle like crazy to control those reactions. Often the skills we usually use to calm ourselves don’t work with these people. This is often the reason people turn to drug and alcohol abuse. Or criminality frankly.

For regular responses having a regular spiritual, meditation, and or physical release program works wonders. For the extreme cases, it takes a bit more.

If you are interested in learning more about these processes and how they maybe calmed during times of overwhelm, reach out.

Many blessings

Karen